In a breathtaking display of strength, skill, and courage, aerial silk artist Erika Lemay has set a new Guinness World Record for the highest suspended aerial silk free roll (blindfolded). The 41-year-old artist completed the dangerous feat on June 20 in Comporta, Portugal, from a dizzying height of 36.80 meters (120 ft 8 in).
The record-breaking attempt was made all the more difficult by the unforgiving elements. Extreme winds buffeted Lemay as she performed, causing the silk to move unpredictably. Unable to see where the silk was going, she had to rely entirely on her years of experience and body awareness to complete the free rolls—a movement where the artist does not use their hands or feet to control their descent. The key to the maneuver is to hook her leg around the silk at precisely the right moment to stop the rapid fall.
Lemay, who has been an aerial silk artist for decades and has performed around the world, described the attempt as part of her “lifelong dedication to aerial arts and desire to push the boundaries of what is possible.” She hopes her achievement will inspire others to overcome their own mental and physical limitations.
The successful record attempt is a testament to Lemay’s mental fortitude as much as her physical ability. The day before the stunt, a thunderstorm prevented her from practicing, leaving her with no time to adjust to the windy conditions. Yet, she persevered, telling herself, “I knew I had done it,” the moment she hooked her leg. Her daring performance not only secured her a place in the history books but also solidified her reputation as one of the world’s most fearless and talented aerial artists.
